How MercadoPago tips work and why many waiters reject them

In Argentina , tipping is a common practice in sectors such as gastronomy, hospitality, and delivery services. However, with the decline in cash use and the rise of digital payments , a new problem has emerged: a lack of transparency in the distribution of these tips , especially those left through Mercado Pago .

Since the implementation of the tip system in Mercado Pago months ago, many people complain of not being able to see how much money they were allocated, and sometimes, there's no accounting record of how much they've accumulated individually. This creates uncertainty , as there's no way to know if they're receiving the correct amount.

For this reason, more and more waiters are refusing to receive tips this way and are requesting that they be transferred individually to their personal accounts via CBU or CVU.

“Before, they left the tip on the table, and there were no more arguments. You could keep it for yourself or split it with your colleagues on the other side of the counter. Now, the owner, either because he forgot or because he wants to be smart, doesn't always share it,” Jorge Merino, a waiter, explained to Clarín .

While the benefits of digital wallets are undeniable, the tipping system still has several blind spots: it fails to ensure that compensation reaches the right people on time.

Others point out that when merchants settle digital tips, they aren't always distributed equitably, benefiting some more than others. Furthermore, processing can be slower than cash, impacting workers' daily income .

"The problem is that you lose control of who left you change and how much it was used. To avoid confusion, we ask customers to deposit the money into a personal account. However, many are suspicious and add it to the general bill," says Jorge, who serves about 30 tables a night.

To ensure that cash shortages are no longer an excuse, the Government authorized—through Decree 731/2024—the use of electronic means for customers to leave "rewards" to reward good service.

In theory, the objective of this decree is to facilitate this "extra payment" in a single transaction using a single payment method, providing convenience and speed. For merchants, it generates no tax obligations or additional costs, as the acquirer cannot charge fees for this service.

The crunch of confusion reaches its peak when the customer signals for the check. At that moment, the parties are confronted with the new modality of digital tipping.

With the receipt in hand, the customer simply scans the QR code with their favorite app, whether Mercado Pago, Personal Pay, or NaranjaX. They then choose their payment method and, at that moment, decide whether they'll add a tip.

If you agree, the payment terminal automatically displays several options on the Mercado Pago screen to add an extra fee, ranging from 5% to 15% of the total. When you choose one, this percentage is added to the final amount, although everything is transferred by default to an account designated by the business owner .

"This feature is completely free : processing tip payments is free for servers and food service businesses, and the money is immediately credited to the business's account," Mercado Pago reports.

Prior to the launch of this Mercado Pago solution, many restaurateurs agreed that this method was the best way to manage digital tips, since in theory, it allows them to be distributed according to each business's internal agreement .

"The establishment has all the tools," Mercado Pago argues, "to manage the transaction , and it's their responsibility to distribute the tips among the various employees."

But in practice, many owners delay distributing the money; they do so in an opaque manner , without allowing employees to keep track; or, in the worst cases, they never distribute it at all .

Some restaurants implemented proprietary systems to direct tips directly into a common pool , while some entrepreneurs saw an opportunity to provide a service.

Although these solutions don't always satisfy everyone, there is still a window open for innovation. There are specialized applications that facilitate the process, although they usually charge a fee for their services.

Locally, Tipeando stands out for its ability to automatically distribute tips among retail staff using a simple and straightforward method.

This platform is not contracted by the restaurant, but is used directly by employees. A sign with a QR code on the tables allows customers to scan it and transfer tips from popular digital wallets.

It is designed so that employees can decide whether the tip goes directly to a manager's account or is distributed among the other colleagues associated with the account.

Tipeando charges no registration or subscription fees, but retains an 8% + VAT commission per transaction. This cost structure allows employees to benefit from an efficient and easy-to-use system without incurring additional costs.

One alternative is TackPay , designed to manage tips securely and efficiently. Employers can send and receive tips digitally, eliminating the need to handle cash via a personalized QR code.

The app allows you to review your transaction history to keep a detailed record of your accumulated income for a day or week. Additionally, the platform offers the option to withdraw money directly to a bank account.

Another notable option is the "tip pot." If this option is enabled, compensation is automatically distributed among team members, ensuring fair distribution.

This is particularly beneficial in environments where teamwork is essential and fair compensation is sought for all. TackPay is European and charges a 5% fee plus €0.25 per transaction.